Lancashire Holdings Ltd - Q2 2009 And Half Year Results To 30 June, 2009

Hamilton, Bermuda - 03 August, 2009 - Lancashire Holdings Limited ("Lancashire" or "the Company") (Ticker: LHL.BH) announced on 29 July, 2009, its results for the second quarter of 2009 and the six month period ended 30 June 2009. Lancashire grows book value per share 6.9% in Q2 2009, 9.9% YTD. Combined ratio of 35.4% in Q2 2009, 57.9% YTD

Financial highlights for the second quarter of 2009:

• Fully converted book value per share of $7.57 at 30 June 2009, compared to $7.08 at 31 March 2009, an increase of 6.9%;
• Gross written premiums of $241.9 million. Net written premiums of $238.7 million;
• Reported loss ratio of 5.8% and a combined ratio of 35.4%. Accident year loss ratio of 30.7%;
• Annualised total investment return of 2.4%;
• Net operating profit of $103.3 million, or $0.55 diluted operating earnings per share; and
• Net profit after tax of $106.4 million, or $0.57 diluted earnings per share.

Financial highlights for the first half of 2009:

• Fully converted book value per share of $7.57 at 30 June 2009, compared to $6.89 at 31 December 2008, an increase of 9.9%;
• Compound annual Return on Equity since inception of 18.2%;
• Gross written premiums of $384.7 million. Net written premiums of $337.9 million;
• Reported loss ratio of 29.3% and a combined ratio of 57.9%; Accident year loss ratio of 29.8%;
• Annualised total investment return of 3.5%;
• Net operating profit of $139.2 million, or $0.75 diluted operating earnings per share;
• Net profit after tax of $147.1 million, or $0.79 diluted earnings per share ; and
• Interim dividend of 5.0 cents per common share.

Richard Brindle, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"I am pleased to report another good performance by Lancashire. We grew book value per share by 6.9% in the second quarter, delivering a return on equity of 9.9% for the first half of the year.

Our underwriting result was excellent with a combined ratio for the second quarter of 35.4%. Our investments returned 2.4% on an annualised basis; a reasonable result given our conservative philosophy. Since our inception, Lancashire has grown book value per share, including dividends, in thirteen quarters out of fourteen, generating a compound annual return of 18.2%.

We have, however, been somewhat surprised by the reduced demand this year for Gulf of Mexico energy hurricane cover.  This significantly reduced the level of business written by Lancashire in that particular class, as compared to our expectations.  At the same time, we have made steady progress in building our property catastrophe book in many United States' critical catastrophe zones and expect to become a significant market participant. Despite reduced premium income in the Gulf of Mexico market, Lancashire has seen strong overall premium growth in the quarter.  We are also pleased with the business written in July at rating levels supporting our decision to hold back capacity earlier in the year.

We are proud of the fact that during the quarter Lancashire entered the London Stock Exchange FTSE 250 Index. We are also pleased to declare an interim dividend of 5.0 cents per share.

We look forward with enthusiasm to the opportunities ahead of us for the rest of the year."

Underwriting results

Gross written premiums increased by 23.0% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. In 2009 to date, gross written premiums increased by 0.3% compared to the first six months of 2008. In the first quarter of 2009, Lancashire held back significant capacity in the direct property, retrocession and energy catastrophe classes in order to take better advantage of improving opportunities. Trading conditions, with the exception of the Gulf of Mexico energy class, have generally met expectations.

The Company's four principal classes, and a discussion of the key market factors impacting them, are as follows:

Property gross written premiums increased by 29.9% for the quarter compared to the same period in 2008, and decreased by 0.2% in the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months of 2008. In the second quarter, Lancashire wrote significantly more property catastrophe reinsurance risks than in the second quarter of 2008. In the first quarter of 2009, a tactical decision was made to reduce volumes in the retrocession class and in the direct and facultative class compared to the first quarter in 2008.

Energy gross written premiums increased by 9.4% for the quarter compared to the same period in 2008 and decreased by 6.5% in the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months of 2008. Gulf of Mexico volumes were lower in both the first and second quarters in 2009 compared to the respective prior year periods.

Marine gross written premiums increased by 74.0% for the quarter compared to the same period in 2008 and by 15.8% in the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months of 2008. The increased volume in each period was primarily driven by renewals of certain multi-year contracts.

Aviation gross written premiums increased by 0.7% for the quarter compared to the same period in 2008 and by 9.9% in the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months of 2008. The non-renewal of a satellite risk programme in the first quarter was offset by modestly increased volume in the AV52 subclass.

Ceded premiums reduced by 77.6% in the three months to 30 June 2009 compared to the three months to 30 June 2008. For the six month period to 30 June 2009, ceded premiums reduced by 20.8% in 2009 compared to 2008. The main reason for the change is a reduction in the level of reinsurance purchased in respect of Gulf of Mexico energy catastrophe risks. This is directly related to the lower than expected volumes of premium written in this class.

Net earned premiums as a proportion of net written premiums were 60.4% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to 81.4% in the same period in 2008 and 83.8% in the six months to 30 June 2009, compared to 97.9% in the same period in 2008. With 2008 premium volumes lower than 2007, the deferral of earnings into the following year is reduced. Further, with the Company reducing premiums written in the first quarter of 2009, premium earnings are modestly deferred over the remainder of the year and into 2010.

The net loss ratio of 5.8% for the second quarter reflects both an unusually low number of losses during the period and favourable development of prior year reserves. The table below provides further detail of movements by class. In the three months to 30 June 2009, the Company received some notifications of reduced reserve estimates for a number of specific risk losses in the property and energy classes, and some other specific claims settled favourably compared to booked estimates. The six months to 30 June 2009 includes adverse development of Hurricane Ike of $39.8 million (before tax) which was booked in the first quarter. The expected ultimate loss from Hurricane Ike did not change during the second quarter. The net loss ratio for the six months to 30 June 2009 was 29.3%. Net prior year reserve releases were $35.3 million for the second quarter and $0.9 million for the year to date. The accident year loss ratio for the quarter was 30.7% compared to 48.0% for the same period in 2008.  For the year to date, the

accident year loss ratio was 29.8% compared to 44.1% for the six months to 30 June 2008. 

The ratio of IBNR to total reserves was 41.2% at 30 June 2009, an increase of 1.9% since 31 March 2009.

Note: positive numbers denote favourable development and negative numbers denote adverse development.

Investments

Net investment income was $14.0 million for the second quarter, a modest increase of 8.5% on the second quarter of 2008 helped by an increase in invested assets. Net investment income was $27.5 million for the six months to 30 June 2009, a decrease of 10.1% on the same period in 2008 which is largely due to a reduction in the overall portfolio yield.

Total investment return, including net investment income, net realised gains and losses, impairments and net change in unrealised gains and losses, was $12.9 million for the quarter compared to $2.9 million for Q2 2008, and was $36.4 million for the 2009 year to date versus $24.4 million for the same period in 2008. At 30 June 2009, the fixed income portfolio plus managed cash had a duration of 1.9 years, a credit quality of AA+ and a market yield of 2.2%. This compares to 1.3 years, AA+ and 3.3%, respectively, at 30 June 2008.  At 31 March 2009, duration was 1.4 years, credit quality was AA+ and market yield was 1.9%.

The Company continues to hold a conservative portfolio, consistent with its long-term philosophy, with an emphasis on preserving capital. In the second quarter of 2009, the corporate bond allocation increased by 4.4%, bringing the total holding to 13.0% of invested assets. In addition, there was a small increase in the allocation to Treasury Inflation Protected Securities to hedge against potential future inflationary pressures, bringing the total holding of these securities to 4.0% of invested assets. At 30 June 2009, the portfolio comprised 81.7% fixed income assets and 18.3% cash versus the prior year of 55.9% fixed income assets, 4.7% equities and other, and 39.4% cash.

Lancashire is not currently invested in equities, hedge funds or other alternative investments.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses, excluding the cost of warrants and options, are broadly consistent compared to the same periods in 2008, reflecting the Company's stable operating platform. Employee compensation costs were 54.8% of other operating expenses in the six months to 30 June 2009 compared to 54.6% in first half of 2008.

Equity based compensation was $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to $2.8 million in the same period last year. For the six months to 30 June 2009 and 2008 the charge was $5.6 million and $1.3 million respectively. This expense includes mark-to-market adjustments on certain performance warrants.

Capital

At 30 June 2009, total capital was $1.550 billion, comprising shareholders' equity of $1.419 billion and $130.7 million of long-term debt. Leverage was 8.4%. Total capital at 31 December 2008 was $1.404 billion.

Dividends

The Lancashire Board has declared an interim dividend of 5.0 cents per common share. The dividend will be paid on 7 October 2009 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 28 August 2009. Lancashire will continue to review the appropriate level and composition of capital for the Company with the intention of managing capital to enhance risk-adjusted returns on equity. 

Outlook

Lancashire aims to achieve a cross-cycle return of 13% including dividends above a risk free rate. This is unchanged from previous guidance.

Further detail of our 2009 second quarter results can be obtained from our Financial Supplement. This can be accessed via our website www.lancashiregroup.com.         

On 7 August 2009, we intend to publish our Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the six months ended 30 June 2009 via our website www.lancashiregroup.com.

Analyst and Investor Earnings Conference Call

There will be an analyst and investor conference call on the results at 1:00pm UK time / 8:00 am EST on Wednesday, 29 July 2009. The call will be hosted by Richard Brindle, Chief Executive Officer, Simon Burton, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Neil McConachie, Chief Financial Officer.

The call can be accessed by dialing +44 (0)20 7806 1950 / +1 718 354 1385 with the passcode 4248014. The call can also be accessed via webcast, please go to our website (www.lancashiregroup.com) to access.

A replay facility will be available for two weeks until Wednesday, 12 August 2009. The dial in number for the replay facility is +44 (0)20 7806 1970 / +1 718 354 1112 and the passcode is 4248014#. The replay facility can also be accessed at www.lancashiregroup.com

For further information, please contact:

Investor enquiries and questions can also be directed to info@lancashiregroup.com or by accessing the Company's website www.lancashiregroup.com.